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The epidemic of 1853 was by far the most terrifying: In a city of 154,000 people, nearly 8,000 died.

The Picayune called for scientific study of yellow fever. In 1834, a group of New Orleans doctors concerned about the spread of tropical diseases formed the Medical College of Louisiana, which evolved into Tulane University.

The city experimented with several methods for fighting yellow fever, including trying to purify the air by burning tar in 1853, a strategy The Picayune said should be expanded.

Another method: Firing cannons throughout the city. This tactic was used only once.

A final outbreak in 1905 was the last in the nation.

Five years earlier, Dr. Walter Reed and his colleagues had proved that the illness was spread by mosquitoes. A massive effort aimed at eliminating the breeding of the insects helped end the crisis.

After mosquitoes were identified as spreading yellow fever, efforts to control breeding were launched. Lapel pins and newspaper advertisements promoted safe water cisterns.